Omaha Central library (SWC 72 & Dodge)

[bldgengineer2015]

More renderings and plans for the new central library.

https://omahacentrallibrary.org/design/

[ita]

More renderings and plans for the new central library.

https://omahacentrallibrary.org/design/

Lots of information and pictures in this powerpoint from the website:

https://omahacentrallibrary.org/wp-cont ... hare-2.pdf

With the apparent focus on 72nd and Dodge as the center of city, anyone think OPD/OFD may end up near here, maybe the US Bank Branch south of DoSpace?

[WorldStreet]

More renderings and plans for the new central library.

https://omahacentrallibrary.org/design/

Lots of information and pictures in this powerpoint from the website:

https://omahacentrallibrary.org/wp-cont ... hare-2.pdf

With the apparent focus on 72nd and Dodge as the center of city, anyone think OPD/OFD may end up near here, maybe the US Bank Branch south of DoSpace?

The design looks beautiful. However, as others have mentioned, my concern is that the exterior will be next to the very noisy intersection of 72nd and Dodge. I think that the sound of traffic will make any use of outdoor space unpleasant. This intersection is a thoroughfare, not a "town square". I would really love this library at Midtown Crossing, if not downtown.

[Busguy2010]

With the apparent focus on 72nd and Dodge as the center of city, anyone think OPD/OFD may end up near here, maybe the US Bank Branch south of DoSpace?

That's an interesting thought. I think it would make sense.

[skinzfan23]

I really wish they were able to expand onto the US bank site as well. That would open up a ton more space and provide a better sound barrier.

[Big E]

With the apparent focus on 72nd and Dodge as the center of city, anyone think OPD/OFD may end up near here, maybe the US Bank Branch south of DoSpace?

As long as they give up the prime block and half they're both |expletive| up downtown, please.

Good place for a post office and a couple of giant stupid jails, too.

[S.O.Boy]

I really wish they were able to expand onto the US bank site as well. That would open up a ton more space and provide a better sound barrier.

I wonder if that is happening behind the scenes with third parties.


And that would allow green space around the building.

[Ben]

With the apparent focus on 72nd and Dodge as the center of city, anyone think OPD/OFD may end up near here, maybe the US Bank Branch south of DoSpace?

OFD has publicly stated that their fire house by Methodist (80th and Dodge-ish) needs to be replaced/relocated. Its small, doesn't offer ideal access (stop sign to cross Dodge, no dedicated emergency traffic light), and has limited remodel/expansion opportunities, given its neighbors.

That being said, I think it was always assumed (by me at least), that Crossroads was going to give them a parcel to work with, once they figured out that overall design...

[nebport5]

With the apparent focus on 72nd and Dodge as the center of city, anyone think OPD/OFD may end up near here, maybe the US Bank Branch south of DoSpace?

OFD has publicly stated that their fire house by Methodist (80th and Dodge-ish) needs to be replaced/relocated. Its small, doesn't offer ideal access (stop sign to cross Dodge, no dedicated emergency traffic light), and has limited remodel/expansion opportunities, given its neighbors.

That being said, I think it was always assumed (by me at least), that Crossroads was going to give them a parcel to work with, once they figured out that overall design...

Eminent domain -> Target's parking lot

[Coyote]

Do Space providing hundreds of eligible Omahans with free laptops, internet access



KMTV 3 News Now

Omaha nonprofit Do Space is continuing its mission of making technology and internet access more accessible. Through a new program, hundreds of Omaha residents will receive free laptops, internet access and technology education classes.

[Coyote]

With proposed advisory committee, private involvement in Omaha Library criticized again



KMTV 3 News Now

An addition on Tuesday to the Omaha Public Library Board of Trustee’s agenda for the Thursday meeting has some critics up in arms again.

[Coyote]

Omaha Public Library board votes on advisory committee

[Coyote]

Omaha Library Board approves advisory committee for new, central library planned for 72nd & Dodge



KMTV 3 News Now

The Omaha Public Library is one step closer to a location at 72nd and Dodge and we now know who will help launch the new central library.

[nativeomahan]

Has anyone involved in this chess game explained just where the functions of the existing Do Space would transfer to for the 2 years or so it will take to destroy their existing structure and construct a new structure at 72nd and Dodge Streets?
For the life of me I don’t understand why the city doesn’t construct the new library building directly across the street, in the largely empty parking lot on the NW corner of 72/Dodge Streets, or elsewhere in the Crossroads redevelopment acreage.

[Ben]

Has anyone involved in this chess game explained just where the functions of the existing Do Space would transfer to for the 2 years or so it will take to destroy their existing structure and construct a new structure at 72nd and Dodge Streets?
For the life of me I don’t understand why the city doesn’t construct the new library building directly across the street, in the largely empty parking lot on the NW corner of 72/Dodge Streets, or elsewhere in the Crossroads redevelopment acreage.

Where do will go during construction is a great question.

The why is a much simpler answer - Heritage / Do Space own the lot that Do is on now. As Heritage is leading the library redevelopment effort, this there is no additional land needed. They build on their own property.... Requires no new land purchase or lease costs.

But yes, in an ideal world, a library could easily be integrated into the Crossroads development, and avoid any Do Space closure until the new location is fully built and operational...

[Coyote]

Omaha city council hears feedback on new central library proposal



Omaha's mayor calls 72nd and Dodge streets proposal a 'remarkable opportunity.'

[Athomsfere]

I still hate this location for a central library, but it sounds like a done deal.

[Padre]

The courtyard on the south side would open up to the US Bank. They have a fairly big parking lot, a lot of which never seems to get used. Also, a lot has been torn down on the other side of Farnam and left empty. I suspect we’ll see more development here than just the library.

[S.O.Boy]

I suspect we’ll see more development here than just the library.

The library might be the development that triggers the entire area.

[omahahawk]

Thanks Uffda for posting that piece from CBS Sunday Morning in the DT Library thread. I saw that too when it aired and thought about posting it in this thread. Been going back through some of the posts here and I know this is not the popular opinion but I honestly have no objection whatsoever at this point to putting the central library at 72nd and Dodge. All the arguments that it should be downtown are very legitimate. I am very much a proponent of downtown development and I get that completely. At the end of the day though I just do not see it as the same kind of detriment that a lot of others do by going to 72nd. That is to say as long as they build in pedestrian bridges or whatever features necessary to make the area more pedestrian friendly. I can only speak from personal experience, but the truth is I frequented that location 10 x more when it was a Borders than I ever went to the Dale when it was downtown. Would that have changed with a new modern central library concept downtown? Maybe. But in any case, I now have come around to the feeling that their overall mission is going to be best served at 72nd if at the heart of their mission is reaching as many people as possible, particularly young people. As far as being a loss for downtown, just completely two cents here but I predict the state office building at Gene Leahy going elsewhere by the end of the decade and a new development on the east lot at the Mutual site shortly thereafter, all of this happening organically with or without a central library downtown.

[mcarch]

While this image looks great... add in the Metal Light Pole that crosses Dodge Street from corner to corner as well as all the Signage (Five Guys, Advertising Poles, etc.) along Dodge Street to add to the ambiance.

[Louie]

While this image looks great... add in the Metal Light Pole that crosses Dodge Street from corner to corner as well as all the Signage (Five Guys, Advertising Poles, etc.) along Dodge Street to add to the ambiance.

I'm sure that was omitted purposefully.

[Ben]

I think someone may have asked this earlier, but I don't think I'd ever seen any comment on it here or discussed in the news outlets.

What happens to Do Space functions/classes/equipment for the couple of years this site is closed to build the new central library?

I know many of their functions will return with new library, but this'd be a huge loss of programming for a couple of years...

[ricko]

I’m really wondering what the library of the future will look like. I remember walking by the McGill University library about 10 years ago and was struck by all the empty shelves I saw through the windows. I asked a student what that was all about, and was told that they were digitizing everything. Are books going to be obsolete in the future? I don’t see why not. I wonder if libraries down the road will end up just being storage spaces for historical archives and local museums.

[nativeomahan]

I think someone may have asked this earlier, but I don't think I'd ever seen any comment on it here or discussed in the news outlets.

What happens to Do Space functions/classes/equipment for the couple of years this site is closed to build the new central library?

I know many of their functions will return with new library, but this'd be a huge loss of programming for a couple of years...

I have wondered that as well. Why the city thought it was a great idea to destroy a relatively new, fully functioning and very popular library on the SW corner of 72 and Dodge Street is just beyond me, It would have made much more sense, imo, to build the new central library on the NW corner of 72 and Dodge. Or on the NE corner. The city has eminent domain powers, after all.

[OmahaOmaha]

Libraries are toilets for the homeless population and a comfortable place for them to hang out in during hot or cold weather. With inflation and the cost of living going up so fast, a big library is needed more than ever. I have a feeling the homeless population is going to grow faster than ever.

I still don’t know why a library needs to be in such a fancy, architecturally strange, expensive building. Wouldn’t it make sense to just build a more sensible building that serves the same purpose and won’t look incredibly dated a decade from now? This just seems to be a huge waste of money. I know my opinion won’t be popular here.

[nebport5]

Libraries are toilets for the homeless population and a comfortable place for them to hang out in during hot or cold weather. With inflation and the cost of living going up so fast, a big library is needed more than ever. I have a feeling the homeless population is going to grow faster than ever.

I still don’t know why a library needs to be in such a fancy, architecturally strange, expensive building. Wouldn’t it make sense to just build a more sensible building that serves the same purpose and won’t look incredibly dated a decade from now? This just seems to be a huge waste of money. I know my opinion won’t be popular here.

How boring if we all agreed and shared the same opinions. Some questions and a few of my opinions...

So are you saying a big library is needed to accommodate the homeless?

Why be concerned with the library being fancy and expensive with it being largely privately funded?

I do wonder if some of the Heritage donations were contingent upon moving the central library out of downtown under the fallacy that it wouldn't be a homeless magnet at 72nd & Dodge.

I don't think the design will be dated in ten years(in fact, I think it's both modern and classic) but I think it'll look just as out of place among it's preceding "milieu".

[Busguy2010]

I do wonder if some of the Heritage donations were contingent upon moving the central library out of downtown under the fallacy that it wouldn't be a homeless magnet at 72nd & Dodge.

I dont think so. They'd had to have been idiots to not know theres already a sizable homeless and druggy population around 72nd & Dodge. I think it'll be just as prevalent out here as it was Downtown.

[ita]

Omaha Public Library, Heritage Omaha launch survey for input on library facilities plan

The Omaha Public Library is partnering with local philanthropic group Heritage Omaha to develop a facilities plan for the city's library system.

Omaha Public Library, Omaha Public Library Foundation, the City of Omaha, Do Space and Heritage Omaha launched a community survey Wednesday that aims to gather input on the needs of the metro area's 12 library branches.

The feedback will help shape the future of OPL and Do Space, according to a press release from the survey organizers.

The community survey can be found at OPLSurvey.org. It will be open for responses until May 1. Paper copies are available in English and Spanish at each OPL branch and Do Space. A Spanish version of the survey is available online at OPLEncuesta.org.

[TransitOriented]

Thanks for that link. I took the survey and told them to get more books. There's even wait lists for ebooks, what the heck.

[BRoss]

Thanks for that link. I took the survey and told them to get more books. There's even wait lists for ebooks, what the heck.

I guess limited availability for ebooks is because of licensing. They are only licensed for so many copies.

[ChadJK]

I'm not much of a library patron (nothing against them and I'm fine with my tax dollars supporting them), but it seems like we're starting to blur the lines between a library and a community/civic center. Many of the things I see modern libraries offering seem outside of the narrow scope of what I think libraries are.

[nativeomahan]

The library located just down the street from our home in México functions as a community center and a place for kids to hang out in after school. It has a cafe and a small movie theatre, and sports a significant book and media collection catering to the immigrant population, Yesterday it was the site of yet another charitable fundraiser. I think this is where libraries need to go in this day and age.

[TransitOriented]

As long as the new library has a sizable library component, I guess it doesn't matter what you call it.

[ita]

City Council is reviewing a lease between the City and DoSpace to rent space at the Milton R. Abrahams Branch during the construction of new central library.

https://cityclerk.cityofomaha.org/image ... -43356.pdf

[Coyote]

Omaha Public Library board to consider later hours, temporary Do Space location



Without a quorum on Wednesday night, the Omaha Public Library Board of Trustees was unable to approve two items that Board President Mike Kennedy expects to pass.

Later hours

Omaha library branches are expected to extend their Monday through Thursday hours to be open until 8 p.m. starting in May. Now, branches close at 7 p.m. The move is something that Library Director Laura Marlane says people have been asking for for a while. It brings the Omaha library in line with other city libraries in the region. Des Moines and most Lincoln library branches are open until 8 p.m. Papillion and LaVista libraries are open until 9 p.m. Omaha libraries had been open until 9 p.m., but Marlane says that hours were reevaluated during closures amid COVID-19. Instead of having several branches closed on Mondays, evening hours were cut, making hours uniform.

Do Space

The library board is also set to approve a temporary location for Do Space at the Abrahams Branch near 90th and Fort Streets. It brings the Omaha library in line with other city libraries in the region. Des Moines and most Lincoln library branches are open until 8 p.m. Papillion and LaVista libraries are open until 9 p.m. Omaha libraries had been open until 9 p.m., but Marlane says that hours were reevaluated during closures amid COVID-19. Instead of having several branches closed on Mondays, evening hours were cut, making hours uniform.

Survey and open houses

The library announced six open houses for its facilities plan on Wednesday. The library is searching for the community's input on what to include in libraries other than books. Some favorites on a community board at the Abrahams branch included a seed garden, Legos, and 3D printing.

The open houses are:

Tuesday, March 21, 5-7 p.m.
The Simple Foundation, 3003 Q Street

Wednesday, March 22, 2-6 p.m.
Village Empowerment Center, 5190 Sprague Plaza

Thursday, March 23, 5-7 p.m.
Do Space, 7205 Dodge Street

Thursday, March 30, 5-7 p.m.
Omaha Public Library’s Millard Branch, 13214 Westwood Lane

Wednesday, April 5, 5-7 p.m.
Omaha Public Library’s Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch, 2100 Reading Plaza

[Coyote]

The City of Omaha holds meeting to get the community's input on library facilities plan



The City of Omaha and the Public Library are looking for specific feedback about how you think your local branch can be improved. That includes everything from design to programs, activities, amenities and more. Your answers will help shape this year's Library Facilities Plan. The expectation is that the input you provide will help the library system for years to come.

“This work would be published as a road map, as a future for the Omaha libraries and its a 20 year plan,” said consultant Margaret Sullivan. They encourage everyone to come provide feedback. “It’s not our library, for the next gen it’s their library, For the next gen we think about the 5 year old and what they want now but also knowing that 5 year old will grow up being a tween, so putting them in a place they can think about the future,” said Sullivan. Tuesday night was the first of several input sessions. Upcoming sessions are below.

Wednesday, March 22 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Village Empowerment Center, 5190 Sprague Plaza

Thursday, March 23 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Do Space, 7205 Dodge St.

Thursday, March 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at OPL's Millard Branch, 13414 Westwood Lane

Wednesday, April 5 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at OPL's Bess Johnson Elkhorn Branch, 2100 Reading Plaza

Thursday, April 6 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Intercultural Senior Center, 5545 Center St.

They also have a community survey online that will be open for responses until May 1, 2023.

For more information and to give your input online, go to OPLsurvey.org

[skinzfan23]

Sounds like construction is going to begin this summer on the new library. DoSpace is relocating starting June 13.

The new library is expected to be open in 2026. That would be a huge year for Omaha with the new library opened, the street car, complete, and Mutual of Omaha’s Tower finished.

Construction for new central Omaha Public Library branch to begin in late June

[ita]

Site work for Omaha's $150 million central library to begin in June

Jessica Wade
Work will soon begin on Omaha's new central library.

Plans for the 96,000-square-foot project come with an estimated price tag of about $150 million and represent one of the largest investments in a public library system in the country in recent years.

Architects’ renderings for the proposed main city library released last year show a modular brick and glass structure, with angular, glassy entrances intended to connote a book being cracked open.

nside, features include aisles to browse for books, a cafe, spaces to use technology and create, areas for kids to read or get homework help, public meeting rooms, and perhaps even space for recording podcasts.

Before the new library can claim its spot on the southwest corner of 72nd and Dodge Streets, the technology library Do Space will have to move out.

Wow, it's now up to $150 million!

Guess it's time for acceptance. A possibly fantastic central library structure is going to grace Dodge and 72nd. I hope that by 2026 it's joining a largely built out Crossroads and Stothert in her fourth term and Heritage can call the revamp of that area a huge success.

[Louie]

I'll still never get over their rendering that has what looks like a parking lot in front of it. Except that its just the concrete heck of that intersection.